CLASS 12 ENGLISH
THE LAST LESSON
30 Questions and Answers (2 Marks Each) — "The Last Lesson"
Q1. Why was Franz reluctant to go to school that day?
Ans: Franz was reluctant because he hadn't prepared his lesson on participles. He feared being scolded by his teacher, M. Hamel, and preferred to spend the day outdoors enjoying the warm, bright morning.Q2. What was unusual about the school that day?
Ans: The school was unusually quiet, and instead of the usual noise, there was a strange stillness. Even the villagers were seated at the back of the classroom, which never happened before.Q3. Who were sitting on the back benches and why?
Ans: Some elderly villagers, including old Hauser, the former mayor, and the postmaster, were sitting quietly. They had come to show respect for their language and M. Hamel on the last French lesson.Q4. What changes did Franz notice in the classroom?
Ans: Franz noticed everything was calm and quiet. The desks were polished, the classroom unusually clean, and M. Hamel wore his best green coat and frilled shirt — all signs of a special occasion.Q5. What did the bulletin board usually contain?
Ans: The bulletin board usually displayed bad news from the authorities — lost battles, drafts, and orders from Berlin. It had become a symbol of fear and anxiety for the villagers.Q6. Why was M. Hamel in his best clothes?
Ans: M. Hamel wore his best clothes — the green coat and frilled shirt — because it was his last day of teaching French. He wanted to mark the occasion with dignity and respect.Q7. What announcement did M. Hamel make to the class?
Ans: M. Hamel sadly announced that it was their last lesson in French. As per an order from Berlin, only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine from the next day.Q8. How did Franz react to the news of the last lesson?
Ans: Franz was shocked and felt guilty for not learning his language properly. He regretted wasting time and developed a sudden love and respect for the French language and M. Hamel.Q9. Why did M. Hamel blame himself as well as others?
Ans: M. Hamel blamed himself for not being strict and for giving students time off. He also blamed parents for sending their children to work rather than to school, contributing to neglect of French.Q10. How did the villagers show their respect for the French language?
Ans: The villagers, realizing the value of their language, attended the last French lesson to honor it and the teacher. Their presence in the classroom was a silent tribute to their heritage.Q11. What role did M. Hamel say language plays in a country’s freedom?
Ans: M. Hamel said that when people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, it is like a key to their prison. Language preserves identity and helps regain freedom.Q12. What was the order from Berlin and its impact?
Ans: The order from Berlin stated that only German would be taught in Alsace and Lorraine. This shocked the villagers and symbolized the loss of cultural identity under foreign rule.Q13. How did M. Hamel conduct the class on the last day?
Ans: M. Hamel conducted the class with great patience and seriousness. He explained grammar carefully, had students read and write sincerely, and taught with love, as if every word mattered.Q14. Describe the emotional atmosphere in the classroom.
Ans: The atmosphere was filled with sadness and regret. Students and villagers were quiet and attentive. M. Hamel was emotional, and everyone deeply realized the value of their language and education.Q15. What did M. Hamel write on the board before leaving?
Ans: At the end, M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France!" on the blackboard. It was a patriotic expression, meaning "Long live France!", showing his deep love for his country and language.Q16. How did Franz’s attitude change during the last lesson?
Ans: Franz, who earlier disliked studies, became attentive and emotional. He regretted not learning French seriously and listened to M. Hamel with newfound respect and admiration.Q17. Why does the narrator call it "The Last Lesson"?
Ans: It was literally the final French lesson due to the imposition of German. Symbolically, it marked the loss of linguistic freedom, making it a lesson in patriotism, culture, and identity.Q18. How did M. Hamel show his love for the French language?
Ans: M. Hamel praised French as the most beautiful and logical language. He taught passionately, showing his deep love and sorrow for losing the right to teach it.Q19. What message does Alphonse Daudet convey in the story?
Ans: Daudet emphasizes the importance of one's language, culture, and identity. The story is a reminder not to take education or freedom for granted and to cherish one’s heritage.Q20. What made Franz forget about M. Hamel’s ruler that day?
Ans: The emotional weight of the last lesson and the realization of losing his language made Franz so attentive and respectful that he forgot all fear of punishment or M. Hamel's ruler.Q21. Why is the story relevant in today’s world?
Ans: The story highlights the importance of preserving one’s language and culture. In a globalized world, it reminds us not to lose our roots or identity amidst external pressures.Q22. Describe Franz’s feelings as he walked to school.
Ans: Franz felt guilty and afraid of being scolded for not preparing his lesson. The warm weather and the chirping of birds tempted him to skip school, adding to his reluctance.Q23. What does “Vive La France!” signify in the story?
Ans: It is a patriotic slogan meaning “Long live France!” M. Hamel wrote it as a final expression of love for his country, symbolizing resistance and pride in national identity.Q24. How did the students behave in the last lesson?
Ans: The students were unusually quiet and attentive. They deeply listened to M. Hamel, realizing the importance of learning their language and feeling sorrowful that it was their last lesson.Q25. What role does the setting play in the story?
Ans: The quiet village and classroom contrast with the usual hustle, creating a solemn and reflective mood. The setting reflects the theme of loss, change, and emotional awakening.Q26. What is Franz’s impression of M. Hamel at the end?
Ans: Franz sees M. Hamel as a dedicated and passionate teacher. He feels guilty for not valuing him earlier and admires his commitment to teaching and love for French.Q27. What is the symbolic significance of the church clock in the story?
Ans: The church clock marks the passage of time, symbolizing the end of an era. Its sound heightens the tension and sadness of the last lesson, reminding everyone of irreversible change.Q28. How did M. Hamel feel about leaving the school?
Ans: M. Hamel was deeply emotional and heartbroken. He cherished teaching French for forty years and felt immense sorrow and helplessness about losing his language and leaving the school.Q29. What does the story teach us about education?
Ans: The story teaches that education and language are vital tools of identity and freedom. We must value learning and not wait for a loss to realize its importance.Q30. How is patriotism shown in the story?
Ans: Patriotism is shown through M. Hamel’s devotion, the villagers’ silent attendance, and the love for the French language. It portrays that language is deeply tied to national pride and freedom.
10 Questions (5 Marks) – “The Last Lesson”
Q1. Describe the emotional atmosphere in the classroom during the last French lesson.
Ans:
The emotional atmosphere in the
classroom was one of sadness, regret, and silence. The students, who
were usually noisy, were quiet and attentive. Even the villagers sat
at the back, showing respect for the teacher and the French language.
M. Hamel was serious and deeply moved, wearing his best clothes for
the occasion. Franz, too, was filled with guilt for not learning his
language. There was a heavy sense of loss among everyone present,
realizing that this was the last French lesson they would ever attend
under M. Hamel. The moment was deeply patriotic and touching.
Q2. How did M. Hamel try to make the last lesson special for his students and the villagers?
Ans:
M. Hamel wore his best clothes—green
coat, frilled shirt, and black silk cap—as he did on inspection
days. He wanted the last lesson to be solemn and memorable. He taught
with great seriousness, as if every word mattered. He explained the
grammar lesson clearly, made the students write carefully, and
praised the French language as the most beautiful and logical one. He
didn’t scold anyone but instead encouraged everyone to value their
mother tongue. His actions reflected love for teaching, respect for
language, and a desire to leave a lasting impression on the minds of
his students and villagers.
Q3. How did Franz’s feelings change throughout the story?
Ans:
At the beginning, Franz was reluctant
to attend school. He had not prepared his participles and feared M.
Hamel’s punishment. He even considered running away. However, when
he reached school and learned that it was the last French lesson, his
attitude changed. He felt guilty for not valuing his language and
teacher earlier. As the class went on, Franz became attentive,
respectful, and emotional. He deeply regretted wasting his time. By
the end, he felt connected to the language and proud of his identity.
His transformation reflects the theme of realization, loss, and love
for one’s mother tongue.
Q4. Discuss the theme of language and identity in "The Last Lesson."
Ans:
"The Last Lesson" strongly
emphasizes the link between language and identity. When the people of
Alsace are told they can no longer learn French, they realize the
true value of their language. M. Hamel explains that language is key
to freedom—if people hold on to their language, they preserve their
cultural identity and dignity. Losing a language means losing a part
of oneself. The story shows that foreign rule not only conquers land
but also tries to erase identity. Through the last lesson, the author
reminds us of the importance of respecting, learning, and preserving
one’s mother tongue.
Q5. What was M. Hamel’s opinion about the French language?
Ans:
M. Hamel believed that French was the
most beautiful, logical, and clear language in the world. He felt
immense pride in teaching it for forty years and expressed sorrow
that people had neglected learning it. He said that a conquered
people could still have hope if they held on to their language. It
was, to him, a symbol of freedom and national pride. By praising
French so highly, M. Hamel tried to make the villagers realize the
importance of preserving their identity. His passionate defense of
French reflected deep patriotism and sadness at its forced removal
from schools.
Q6. How does the story highlight the importance of not taking things for granted?
Ans:
The story powerfully conveys that
people often realize the value of something only after losing it.
Franz and the villagers took their language and teacher for granted
until it was too late. Franz never cared to learn French properly,
but when he was told it was the last lesson, he regretted his
laziness. The villagers, too, ignored education, but attended the
last class to honor their language. M. Hamel also blamed himself for
being too lenient. The story teaches us to appreciate our rights,
heritage, and opportunities while we have them, as we might not get a
second chance.
Q7. Describe the significance of the villagers’ presence in the classroom.
Ans:
The villagers’ presence in the
classroom on the day of the last lesson was symbolic and emotional.
Usually, they were not interested in school, but they came to honor
the French language and M. Hamel. Their presence reflected their
guilt for not valuing their language earlier and their patriotism.
They wanted to show solidarity with the children and the teacher in
the face of the foreign order. This silent gesture showed that
language is deeply tied to community identity. Their attendance added
a serious and touching tone to the event, making it not just a
lesson, but a farewell.
Q8. What was Franz’s realization about M. Hamel and his teachings on the last day?
Ans:
Franz realized that M. Hamel, whom he
had often feared or ignored, was a dedicated and loving teacher.
Despite being strict, M. Hamel had deep concern for his students and
his country. On the last day, Franz noticed how M. Hamel taught with
great passion, dressed in his best clothes, and made every effort to
deliver a meaningful final lesson. Franz regretted not paying
attention earlier and felt a new respect for his teacher. This
realization came too late, but it left a lasting impact on him,
showing how we often fail to value people and lessons in time.
Q9. How does “The Last Lesson” reflect the impact of war on common people?
Ans:
“The Last Lesson” shows how war
affects the everyday lives of ordinary people. The Prussian order to
stop teaching French in Alsace-Lorraine directly affected schools,
teachers, students, and villagers. It caused emotional pain, loss of
identity, and cultural suppression. The villagers, who never bothered
about school before, now sat silently in class, mourning their
language. M. Hamel lost his job after forty years of service, and
students like Franz felt a sudden urge to learn. The story highlights
how war doesn’t just change political boundaries—it disrupts
education, heritage, and the emotional well-being of entire
communities.
Q10. What is the significance of the title “The Last Lesson”?
Ans:
The title “The Last Lesson” carries
deep symbolic meaning. On the surface, it refers to the final French
lesson taught by M. Hamel after the imposition of German. But more
importantly, it symbolizes the end of an era, a sudden realization of
the importance of language, culture, and freedom. It marks a turning
point for Franz, who begins to value his language and teacher only
when they are about to be taken away. The title reflects themes of
regret, patriotism, and awakening. It reminds readers that we often
appreciate something only when we are on the verge of losing it.
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